Solbidyum Wars Saga 9: At What Price

by Dale Musser

  “Reide, your idea about flooding the base with fog to find the snipers… that was utterly brilliant. You and Rory both deserve high praise for that discovery.”

  “It was nothing really, dad, just something Rory and I discovered while goofing around in the lab one day. I’d forgotten about it until the attack.”

  “Well, needless to say, it saved a lot of lives and I suspect it will save even more in the future. Well done.” By now, I had regained my composure.

  “Dad, are you alright?” asked Reide. Lunnie and mom said you were unconscious and that your heart stopped from the projectile impact.”

  “I’m not going to lie to you. I'm hurting plenty at the moment,” I said. “But I’ll survive. More importantly, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the base or headed to an assignment somewhere? Both of you?”

  “Dad, I’m on leave for five days. Did you forget?” Lunnie reminded me.

  “And I have three days before I need to report to the base on New Birty in the Yaldan System,” said Reide. “I wanted to see you and mother before I ship out.”

  “I had forgotten, Lunnie, and I’m sorry to tell you, but your leaves may be canceled and you may be called to report for duty at any moment.”

  “WHAT?” both twins exploded at once.

  I quickly explained what was going on and how the Brotherhood’s threat to cut off distribution of God’s Sweat was actually Ming’s clever way of using their production deficit as a weapon against the Federation and how the panic and riots would impact the safety of every citizen and create military resource problems. When I finished, both Lunnie and Reide looked very somber.

  “That really messes things up,” said Reide. “I was going to ask you if you minded if I brought a friend of mine to spend some time at the estate with me this weekend, so you could meet her.”

  Behind Reide I saw Kala look at me with a slight smirk.

  “Reide, you know you can invite your friends to come and visit the estate at any time. We always have spare rooms for guests. I’m sure there will be another opportunity later.”

  “Yeah, but I wanted her to meet you and mom. Plus, we’re going to be shipped out to different bases. It may be a while before another opportunity comes up.”

  “I’m sorry son, but this is the uncertainty of military life.”

  “Tib, you look really exhausted, have you eaten?” Kala asked.

  “Yes. We ate during our meetings. As for tired, I’m totally shot. I have no idea when I slept last.”

  Again, I looked at my kids who stood in front of me, only now they weren’t kids anymore. Both were adult troopers now… and already heroes. “I’m so proud of you both,” I repeated.

  And then, in total exhaustion, I fell asleep with the three of them staring at me.

  The next morning when I awoke I was racked with pain and I couldn’t get up. I called out for Kala, but it was Lunnie who came through the door to assist me.”

  “Are you alright, dad?” she asked.

  “I can’t get up. So much pain. See if you can… help me sit forward.”

  Lunnie gently, but with a firm hand, managed to get me to the edge of the easy chair. I noticed I was still in my uniform from the night before.

  “Lunnie, can you help me get the top of my uniform off? I really need to take a shower.”

  “Sure thing, dad.”

  “Where are your mother and Reide?”

  “They went back to the NEW ORLEANS early this morning. Mom needed to talk with some of the staff about something and Reide wanted to see Rory and A’Lappe. They said I was to let them know when you were up and dressed.

  “Dad, will you be able to make it to the shower?” she asked with concern as I winced in pain.

  “I think so.”

  Lunnie helped me get my jacket off and remove the vest and breastplate device A’Lappe had made for me. “Oh, Dad!” she exclaimed. I glanced down to see my chest no longer showed the bluish mottling around the ribs; the entire left side of my chest was now one huge black bruise.

  “Dad, you need to see the medic. This looks bad.”

  “I’ll be fine. Just help me out of this gear so I can get in the shower,” I replied, even though I wasn’t so sure myself about how fine I was. I was able to make it to the shower, though I felt very unsteady on my feet. The sonic vibrations applied with the fine misty spray helped to revitalize me; and even though the shower only lasted three minutes, I felt much better afterward. My sense of improvement was quickly dampened when I looked up to see Kala standing in the bath area, looking rather shocked.

  “By the stars, Tib, you must be in excruciating pain. That looks terrible.”

  “Thanks for the compliment,” I said sarcastically. “I’ll grant you, it’s not comfortable, but I’ve experienced worse. Can you help me get the breastplate back on and a fresh uniform?”

  “Tib, you’re not seriously planning to report to duty today, are you? You really need to see the medic and rest. Who knows how many blood clots you have floating around in your chest that could give you a heart attack at any moment!”

  I hadn’t thought about the heart attack aspect until Kala mentioned it.

  “Kala, I can’t go see a medic and have them checking me out too thoroughly, and you know why.”

  “Yes, I understand that. How about calling A’Lappe, then. This is important, Tibby.

  “Alright, I’ll see A’Lappe. We need to figure out how we’re going to deal with arrangements for my next treatment anyway. I'm almost due and I’ll be a mental vegetable if I don’t get that treatment on time. We’re going to have to make this fast. I’m supposed to be meeting with an individual on Tombosem today who claims to have information on Ming’s whereabouts and what he is up to.”

  “Tib, why do you have to go? Let Wabussie send an FSO agent to talk with him.”

  “I can’t do that. He will provide the information only to me and only in person.”

  “Well then bring him here. It certainly would be safer.”

  “I can’t do that either. He’s suffering from a medical condition that will keep him bed-ridden for months.”

  At this point, I had managed to get dressed with Kala’s assistance. Once in uniform with bruises covered, I no longer looked like I was on death's doorstep. I made my way to the study as Kala fussed at me.

  “Tib, I swear you’re just like the twins. You have an excuse for everything. You need to eat something before you go back to work.”

  Just then the com beeped at my desk.

  “Tibby here.”

  “Tibby, this is Doctor Danjuma. I was looking at the vids of Ming and I may have some insights that prove to be of value to you. I would say that he is having major health issues. It’s fair to surmise from his erratic behavior and appearance that he may have kuru or a similar disease.”

  “Kuru? Is that some disease from one of the worlds here in the Federation? I’ve never heard of it.”

  “Actually, it’s a disease from Earth and I have no idea whether it has a counterpart in the Federation. I wouldn’t even consider it a possibility, were it not for Ming’s propensity for cannibalism.”

  “Cannibalism? I don’t understand. What does that have to do with his condition?”

  “Kuru was an incurable degenerative neurological disorder back on Earth at one time. It was prevalent among tribes that practiced cannibalism, particularly in regions of Papua New Guinea. It is a type of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disorder similar to Mad Cow Disease, which I’m sure is a term familiar to you from your time on Earth. It's caused by an infectious protein or prion found in humans.”

  “And you think Ming has it?” I asked.

  “It’s a guess,” Dr. Danjuma replied but A’Lappe thinks it’s a possibility. It’s very possible he contracted the disease either while still on Earth or while on the moon. The incubation period is five to twenty years before symptoms begin to show.”

  “Is the disease fatal?” I aske
d hopefully.

  “Yes. Generally, once symptoms start to manifest, the individual’s life expectancy ranges from a few months to several years. However, with the availability of advanced medical treatments here in the galaxy, there’s no telling how long he could last. A’Lappe thinks that the use of nano-biotics might double Ming’s life expectancy, if he does have this disease and if he finds someone who knows enough to administer them as a treatment.”

  “So if we can sustain the Federation long enough for Ming to die, we stand a chance,” I said. Then it struck me how odd it was that both Ming and I were dying of neurological maladies – he likely from Kuru and I from the synthetic nerve rejection. How ironic that sworn enemies, both from Earth, were leading opposing forces in a galactic war, when both were looking their mortality in the face on a daily basis.

  “Thank you, Doctor. I’m not sure just how I can use that information, but it’s good news, of sorts.”

  After having a quick bite to eat, I made my way to the NEW ORLEANS and A’Lappe’s lab. Of course, two-body guards accompanied me that I would rather not have had along, because their synchronized stride advanced us through the corridors at a faster pace than my body cared to move. Nevertheless, I put forth my best effort and tried to keep up without grimacing.

  When I arrived at A’Lappe’s lab, I found the place filled with a misty haze. Inside I could hear an animated discussion between A’Lappe, Reide and Rory about the marvels of the corona around a cloaked object.

  “Reide, that was some excellent thinking on your part when the snipers hit. I only wish you and Rory had told me about this sooner. It’s possible we could have put this information to use during earlier operations and maybe even saved some lives.”

  “I’m sorry, A’Lappe, but the morning after Rory and I stumbled across the fog’s counter-influence on a cloak, I went with dad to Alamar-4 and the experience there was so traumatic that I completely forgot about it until the attack at the ceremony.”

  “It’s perfectly understandable,” said A’Lappe. “The important thing is that you did remember it when it counted.”

  “Ahem,” I said to call some attention to my presence. “Immediately, Reide snapped to attention, his military instruction kicking in like a reflex.

  “At ease, son. No need for military protocol here. I hope you boys don’t mind, but I need to speak to A’Lappe in private for a few minutes.”

  “Uh, yeah. Sure, dad. It will give Rory and me some time to catch up on everything we’ve been doing the past few months.”

  “Why don’t we go into my office,” said A’Lappe. “We can speak freely there.”

  “Sounds perfect,” I replied as I followed A’Lappe from the foggy lab into his private workroom.”

  No sooner had the door closed behind us than A’Lappe asked me, “How bad is it?” while he also activated a switch that turned his office windows opaque.

  “It’s pretty bad,” I said as I tried to take off my uniform.

  “Let me help you with that, Tibby. You seem to be having some difficulties.”

  “Yeah, it would take me the rest of the morning to do it myself,” I replied.

  “By the stars, Tibby, I didn’t think you could outdo yourself after your crash at Goo’Waddle, but this comes close,” said A’Lappe when he saw my bare chest.”

  “Kala’s worried that there may be clots that could lead to a heart attack.”

  “It’s possible, said A’Lappe. There may be some things I can do to speed up the healing of your bruises right now. You’ll still have some residual mottling, but you’ll see significant improvement after the treatment.”

  “How long will it take?” I asked. “I need to meet with Leader Pheosa and then go down to the surface of Tombosem later today.”

  “It shouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes. It won’t be necessary to go to the med unit; I have the gear here in the lab. Just wait a minute and I’ll be right back.”

  True to his word, A’Lappe was only gone for a minute. When he returned he was carrying a small equipment case in one hand and an auto-injection gun in the other.

  “In most cases, I would advise against what I’m going to do here, Tibby. This injection contains a drug that will speed up your healing process. Normally, medical professionals are reluctant to use it because it can be abused. Plus, it’s hard on the kidneys. However, you’re only going to be using it for a brief time and I know you can tolerate it because I used it with you after your Goo’Waddle crash.”

  As he explained, he injected the stuff into a vein in my arm. It stung and ached for a few minutes and then the pain slowly vanished.

  “This second item,” he said as he opened the case and withdrew a strange device that had what appeared to be a hair comb on one end, “uses an ultrasonic frequency mixed with several other energies that will dissolve much of the bruising and stimulate healing for all but the very worst of it. The device emitted a low hum when he turned it on and placed in against my skin. He began to pass it back and forth gently across the bruised tissue. “I need to warn you; your urine is going to appear very dark for the next several hours, so don’t be shocked by it. Your kidneys will be filtering out a lot of the dead blood cells. Drink lots of water. You’re probably also going to have a bit of a backache for a day or so. I’m sorry, but that can’t be helped. You’re about due for another treatment for your synthetic nerve rejection, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. Tonight, in fact,” I answered.

  “Hmm… I’m afraid there is no way we can do it tonight. We’ll need to wait at least two more days so your body has more time to heal.”

  “That’s not good,” I replied. “I’ve been afraid for a while now that a treatment delay would happen at the worst possible time.”

  “I’m sorry, Tibby. We can’t risk it. The regimen is dangerous enough as it is. Do what you need to do and what you can get done today. If we have to, we’ll make up an excuse that you have some complications from your wound that will require two days of rest. Hopefully by then you’ll be improved enough that we can go through with your treatment. You’re just going to have to rely on your officers to carry on in your absence.”

  I was amazed fifteen minutes later when I looked and the area A’Lappe had been treating to find the bruised area reduced in size and lighter in color.

  “There. That should reduce some of the risk of blood clots in the deeper tissues,” said A’Lappe. “Try to relax, if you can.”

  “Thank you, A’Lappe. By the way, have you heard that Doctor Danjuma believes that Ming has Kuru disease?”

  “Yes. She and I discussed it and I think she may be right. I must confess that I’m unfamiliar with the ailment, as cannibalism is rare on most worlds and I haven’t heard of this ailment before. Many Federation worlds do have similar diseases that can be contracted from eating certain animals, but again these cases are rare.”

  “Well I hope for the sake of the Federation Ming does have the disease and that it kills him soon. The quicker he is gone, the better for us all.”

  Before I left A’Lappe at the lab, I contacted Leader Pheosa to see if he was ready for a briefing. He said to give him an hour, which worked out fine for me, as it gave me time to get briefed by Marranalis on the night's events.

  My staff had been busy, along with the FOI and the FSO. They had formulated an amazing plan for integrating the senior JAC cadets into a program that would make more troopers available to patrol the streets of Federation cities and prevent much of the violence from erupting or at least escalating. All the program needed was the approval of the Leaders or the Senate. I suspected that once I presented the information to Leader Pheosa, he and the other Leaders would immediately authorize the plan by way of Executive Order, knowing that any delays could result in chaos.

  I gave instructions to Marranalis to set up the meeting with the informant on Tombosem around midafternoon. I knew I was pushing things, but I was running out of time and I had no other choice but to speak to him myself. I
could already tell that I was reaching the end of my mental acuity, but I had to make one last push before I finished. By the end of the day, I would need to have everything in place so I could have the two days of rest that A’Lappe insisted were necessary before my synthetic nerve rejection treatment. I needed to stay ahead of Ming, but that wasn’t going to happen if I didn’t recuperate. I just prayed that the stars would be with me and that I would make it through this crisis.

  With my instructions to Marranalis out of the way, I collected the data he had assembled from the work done the night before and proceeded through the secured Cantolla Gates with my guards to the Capitol Station to meet with Leader Pheosa. I expected to be ushered into his office when I arrived in the reception area, but instead I was led to another conference room nearby. I had come to the meeting under the impression that I would be speaking privately with the Leader, but upon entering the conference room, I was surprised to see Admirals Wabussie and Chief Halfredies and ten senators that I recognized as members of the military oversight committee. Seated at the head of the conference table was Leader Pheosa and above him were two vid screens displaying images of the other two Federation Leaders.

  “Good day, sir. I thought this was to be a private briefing,” I said to Pheosa as he greeted me.

  “That was the original plan; however, as we discussed yesterday, the urgency and scope of the situation calls for immediate action, so I felt it best to brief everyone at once. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, certainly not. It’s just a bit of a surprise,” I replied.

  Pheosa wasted no time calling the meeting to order. He then called upon Admiral Wabussie, Halfredies and me to give accounts of recent events and the intelligence we had gathered since the attack at the graduation ceremony and Ming’s subsequent broadcast. I was glad for the presence of Wabussie and Halfredies, as it reduced the amount of material I needed to present. When we finished reviewing the reports and data, we presented the recommended plan of action for managing the impending chaos that would result from the disappearance of God’s Sweat from the drug market. I was expecting some opposition at our intention to use JAC cadets to fill in for troopers pulled from their regular duties, so they could patrol the streets, but not a single objection was voiced. Instead I was asked, “How soon can you have this plan operational?”